Special educational needs and Computer Assisted Language Learning

Investigator: Mr David Ritchie Wilson

Institution: Department of Equal Opportunities and Department of Modern Languages, Harton School, Lisle Road, South Shields

Email: DavidRitchieWilson@compuserve.com
URL: http://www.specialeducationalneeds.com

Project Description

Aims

The aim of the project was to investigate the appropriate application of information and communications technologies to inclusive modern foreign language (MFL) curricula in lower secondary education.

Objectives

The objectives were to

identify accessible, authentic and appropriate electronic resources;
integrate these games, multimedia, videotex and Internet materials into classroom practice;
evaluate their applicability to school MFL curricula and pupils with learning difficulties.

Publications and Outcomes

Reports of work in progress

Wilson D. R. (1996) Going places: travel software as an authentic resource in school foreign language computing, EUROCALL 96 Conference Presentation, Szombathely, Hungary.

Wilson D. R (1997-) A bibliography of modern foreign languages and special educational needs.

Wilson, D. R. (1997) Accessible authenticity: using Internet resources with school foreign language learners in difficulty. Paper presented at FLEAT III, Victoria, BC, Canada.

Wilson, D. R. (1998) ‘Accessible authenticity: using Internet resources with school foreign language learners in difficulty,’ in Liddell, P. (ed.), FLEAT III, Foreign Language Education and Technology, Proceedings of the third conference, Victoria, BC: University of Victoria, pp. 449-462.

Wilson, D. R. (1999) ‘Accessible authenticity: Internet resources for foreign language learners having difficulty’, The IALL Journal of Language Learning Technologies 31(1/2), pp. 59-65.

Final report

Wilson D. R. (1997) Modern Foreign Languages and Information Technology (MFLIT) Project Report: 'Using Authentic Internet Resources with School Foreign Language Learners in Difficulty', MFLIT Research Seminar, NCET, Coventry.

Wilson D. R. (1998) Use of Authentic Internet Resources with School Foreign Language Learners in Difficulty, Language World 98 Conference Presentation, Brighton.

Other outcomes

A two-volume Year 9 French course has been desktop published for use with SEN pupils in their final year of KS3 and submitted for publication on the National Grid for Learning.

Dates of Research: April 1996 - July 1997

Source of Finance: Self and Department for Education and Employment Information Technology project (MFLIT)

CILT Current Research into language teaching and learning in the UK reference: 99259.